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BMW shows off first F30 335i racing machine

March 25, 2012

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Photo by BMW

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Photo by BMW

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Photo by BMW

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Photo by BMW

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Photo by BMW

When one's thoughts get to meandering and said meanderings lead to Bavarian racing machines, BMW's M cars are often first to mind. But the first race car built on BMW's new F30 bones is actually a 335i. Given that the new car's stock turbo six cranks out power similar to that of the naturally aspirated screamer in the 2001-06 E46 M3, building a dedicated rennsport machine from a non-M 3-series doesn't seem like the great loss of opportunity it once could've been.

Built for the Bridgestone Production Cars category of South Africa's Wesbank Super Series and set to debut on March 31 at the Killarney race, the new 3 is a collaboration between BMW South Africa and ADF Motorsport. Due to series regulations, the N55 six-banger was left untouched internally, though ECU, turbocharger and exhaust mods bump the horsepower to 402 and the torque to 442 lb-ft, despite a 40-millimeter restrictor plate on the turbocharger inlet and a do-not-exceed boost threshold of 10.15 psi.

The car also underwent a weight-shaving program, sampling liberally from BMW's M Performance Parts bin. The diet has the car down to 2,998 pounds, a savings of roughly 600 pounds over a U.S.-spec 335i sedan.

Will it sally forth proudly, carrying the legacy of Munich's storied racing career in its freshly furrowed brow? Undoubtedly. Will it succeed in furthering said glory? We'll find out in less than a week.